Gareth Southgate has taken a difficult decision of dropping Rooney and installing Henderson as the England captain.

In what could be the biggest development of the week, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson will wear the captain’s armband for England against Slovenia in the Three Lions’ next World Cup Qualifier match and replaces Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney as the captain.

The Manchester United striker has been going through a bad patch of form for a long time now, and the fans have grown frustrated. The disappointment became highly apparent in England’s previous game on Saturday as Wayne Rooney was booed by English fans for another average display.

Liverpool captain, now England captain

And now, it has been confirmed by Gareth Southgate in his pre-match press conference that Rooney will start from the bench and Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson will captain the Three Lions.

The Liverpool man was handed the huge responsibility as he is already the captain of Liverpool and he is a natural and sensible replacement to Wayne Rooney as captain.

For one, he already has experience in the role and, secondly, he is younger than Cahill and handing him the armband could be a long-term solution.

Great honour for Jordan Henderson to captain his country, delighted for him.

When being handed the captaincy at Liverpool, Henderson, who was suffering from fitness issues, said: ‘I never doubted I was the right person for it but there were times last season when I was very down because I wasn't playing and I questioned my contribution as captain because of that.’

Rooney still the captain of the team

Southgate confirmed at the press conference that Wayne Rooney will still be the captain of the team and that Henderson will lead the side only against Slovenia.

Indeed, the conundrum surrounding the once-hyped footballer seems to have reached its pinnacle. In no way does he have the required skillset to succeed as a central midfielder, and he no longer has what it takes to score bucket loads of goals up top for club or country.

Dropping the former Everton starlet doesn’t come without repercussions. He is not a squad player or one who has minimal experience in international football; he is the captain of the team and is second in the England appearances list.

Hence, the subsequent furore over his removal is only an expected outcome of the situation.

Wayne Rooney showed great maturity and class in that press conference, well done him and well done Gareth Southgate and making the call